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Training Camp: Teaching the Hold CommandSporting Dog Committee Members: Factors: None apply Training Process
Prior to being taught the "hold command" your dog has been able to have anything it wants in its mouth for as long as they wanted. This is a big change in their life and it takes some getting used to for your dog. There are several items that may be used to introduce "hold." These include a wooden dowel, a paint roller, a small plastic bumper, or a gloved hand. Different resources will recommend different objects to start the hold process. My preference is a gloved hand. To start, put a leather work glove on either hand. Open the dog's mouth and insert your hand palm down while commanding "HOLD." Be mindful not to put too much downward pressure on their lower jaw. Having your palm down allows you to grasp your dog's lower jaw so that he cannot spit your hand out. There WILL be a struggle at first. Continue to repeat "HOLD" with your gloved hand in their mouth until they settles down and accept it. Include lots of praise at that time by petting them and saying "good, hold." Gradually increase the amount of time your dog is required to hold your hand until they are proficient for at least a minute or more.
Start with just the leather glove first without your hand, as they should already be comfortable with it. You will no longer have the luxury of controlling the dog's bottom jaw with your hand so another type of correction will be necessary. When your dog tries to spit the object out you may tap them on the underside of their chin while giving the "HOLD" command. The more determined the dog is to spit out the object, the more forceful the correction. Graduate from glove to other objects, whether they are bumpers, wooden dowels, etc. Once the dog is consistently holding easy items it is time to move on to items that are not so pleasurable for him to hold.
Conclusion
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Before "hold" is taught your dog should have been through the formal obedience, as described in the July training tip. If your dog doesn't sit obediently, go back to working on the sit command. This gives you an advantage, as your dog is less apt to spin, stand up, or otherwise try to avoid you enforcing the "hold" command.
Once your dog understands what is being asked of them and will hold your hand upon command without resistance it is time to move onto other objects. Always making sure that your dogs lips are not between the object they are to hold and their teeth, so as not to cause any unnecessary pain they could relate to the hold process.
Items such as these include brushes with fairly stiff bristles, hard item like a small metal bar, etc. We are teaching the dog that whatever we tell them to hold, they must hold it. Finally, begin heeling your dog while they are holding an object. This will extend their concentration and further solidify the "hold" command no matter what the situation. Usually your dog will drop the object in its mouth when moving from the sitting position into heel. When this opportunity presents itslef, stop the dog and firmly place the dowel or bumper back into their mouth with a couple taps on the chin, or slight pressure on their bottom jaw with you thumb, and repeat the process. You may have to hold the dogs bottom jaw for the first couple steps to further illustrate what you are asking of them.
